FTS was the only bidder to receive an award in all bus categories - Type A, Type C and Type D buses. This allows FTS to offer a full range of products

(PRWEB) August 23, 2010

The Florida Department of Education's Contract for School Buses 2010-16 offers districts a unique opportunity to cut costs in their Transportation Departments. For the majority of Florida districts, Transportation is a top 5, if not top 3, annual expense in the operating budget. Through volume purchasing discounts and a collaborative bid process, the Florida contract provides districts the most economical options when it comes to school transportation equipment. Florida Transportation Systems (FTS) and Blue Bird have offered aggressive pricing strategies to assist districts in acquiring these high dollar capital goods.

FTS was the only bidder to receive an award in all bus categories - Type A, Type C and Type D buses. This allows FTS to offer a full range of products that are capable of transporting 18 students or 84 students - whatever the route demands. Additionally, for the third straight contract, FTS and Blue Bird have the most economical choices available. When budget dollars are tight, shouldn't the fiscal focus be on the teachers and the students - not on the buses?

The 2010-16 Contract for School Buses gives districts the opportunity to purchase the most economical bus, the most fuel efficient bus and a vehicle backed with support from one of the longest established bus dealers in the state. Blue Bird school buses, powered by the Cummins ISB engine, deliver the best in fuel economy - 7% to 19% better than other available diesel engine options. For districts that often travel in excess of one million miles transporting students, that is a significant increase in fuel economy and a decrease in fuel expense.

Districts also have the option of pursuing alternatively fueled school buses. With Blue Bird's propane powered Vision Type C bus, in many cases districts can buy an alternative fueled bus FOR LESS than the competition's diesel powered offering. These buses run at near zero emissions, the fueling infrastructure is often federally or locally subsidized and the fuel is much less at the pump. With the memory of the Gulf of Mexico oil disaster still fresh on everyone's mind, there is no better time to start diminishing the dependence on foreign oil and shift to a cleaner, less expensive and domestically produced fuel.

For districts that have "standardized" on a competing product, FTS can illustrate the savings that can be realized by making a change. For one Florida district, that wound up being nearly $1,000,000 over a three year period. Purchasers may still be able to come in under budget with competitor's buses, but in today's economic times, it is imperative to analyze what value a district gets for that budget. If a district purchases ten buses or more on an annual basis, this could mean an extra bus purchased or less total dollars spent. In the era of mass layoffs, mandated furloughs and spending freezes, real savings have real benefits inside and outside of the classroom.

Aggressive pricing, unparalleled support and service - that's how Florida Transportation Systems and Blue Bird are helping Florida school districts do more with less.